Treatment of the Prominent Mandibular Angle by Using a Custom Made Surgical Splint

In this case report, we would like to present an alternative surgical technique for the treatment of the bilateral prominent mandibular angles by using a custom-made resin splint (template). The prefabricated template provided a precise outline for the osteotomy, which alleviated the uncertainty of the osseous cut. Furthermore, masseter muscle myomectomy was not necessary in this case which decreased morbidity, and procedure and recovery time, while assuring a more symmetric outcome

Proposta de um algoritmo de programaçao genética baseado em estratégias evolucionárias

Orientadora: Aurora Trinidad Ramirez PozoDissertaçao (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciencias Exatas, Programa de Pós-Graduaçao em Informática. Defesa: Curitiba, 2006Inclui bibliografiaResumo: Este trabalho apresenta uma nova abordagem para a indu¸c˜ao de programas pela Programa ¸c˜ao Gen'etica (PG) utilizando as id'eias das Estrat'egias Evolucion'arias (ES). A meta deste trabalho 'e desenvolver uma varia¸c˜ao do algoritmo de Programa¸c˜ao Gen'etica, realizando altera¸c˜oes no algoritmo cl'assico e adicionando conceitos da teoria das estratégias Evolucion'arias. A abordagem proposta 'e avaliada utilizando problemas de dois dom'ýnios diferentes: Problemas de Regress˜ao Simb'olica e o Problema da Formiga (Santa Fe Artificial Ant). Dentre os problemas de Regress˜ao Simb'olica, s˜ao estudados os problemas Binomial–3, que caracteriza-se como um problema de dificuldade ajust'avel; S'eries Temporais e Modelagem da Confiabilidade de Software. Os resultados obtidos s˜ao comparados com os resultados obtidos com a PG cl'assica. Para os problemas de Regress˜ao Simb'olica obteve-se excelentes resultados e um melhoramento de desempenho significativo foi atingido, entretanto isto n˜ao aconteceu com o problema Santa Fe Artificial An

Production and characterization of Phenolic-rich, aqueous extracts of dry fruit and leaves from Vaccinium Corymbosum L

In plants, phenolic compounds are frequently found as secondary metabolites and, considering the myriad of functions they perform (from structural support to their involvement in the plants reproductive and defense mechanisms), they are essential to plants physiology. There has been a considerable amount of epidemiological data relating the consumption of fruit and vegetables to lower risks of developing several pathologies (e.g. cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases), considering the high amount of compounds with a phenolic nature present in these foodstuffs, assuming that they are, at least partially, responsible for the health promoting properties observed. Vaccinium corymbosum, particularly its fruits (blueberries), are known for both their vast antioxidant and phenolic content, as such their use as a base to develop new foodstuffs or even ingredients with some functionality may be of particular interest, especially when considering their pleasing organoleptic characteristics. Considering all of the above, and taking into account the global popularity of tea and other infusions, this work aimed to produce tea-like extracts (infused and boiled), using dry fruits and leaves of Vaccinium corymbosum, with the highest antioxidant, phenolic and anthocyanins (for fruits) contents and to characterize their chemical composition. To do so, several different methods were employed: (I) ABTS radical cation for the determination of the total antioxidant capacity. (II) The Folin-Ciocalteu reagent was used to assess the total phenolic content. (III) The differential pH was used to assess the total monomeric anthocyanins. (IV) High Performance Liquid Chromatography was used to identify / quantify the main compounds present in the selected extracts. Our results showed that, for fruit extracts, higher extraction times lead to a lower yield of total anthocyanins though the same was not observed for infused or boiled leaf extracts. Overall, leaf extracts proved to possess a higher phenolic and antioxidant content than fruit extracts. The identification of the compounds present in the extracts showed that chlorogenic acid was present in all extracts, frequently being the most abundant compound. Additionally, pcoumaric and caffeic acid, cyanidin-3-galactoside and quercetin-3-galactoside were found in leaf extracts while, peonidin-3-glucoside and galactosides of malvidin and delphinidin were found in fruit extracts as relevant compounds.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cochlear implant in Kearns-Sayre syndrome: A case study of twin sisters

Hearing loss may be related to several factors, including hearing loss resulting from certain genetic syndromes. Kearns-Sayre syndrome is characterized by mutations in mitochondrial DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), responsible for the production of energy (adenosine triphosphate-ATP), which is extremely important for the development of structures that require it, such as the cochlea. The case was followed up at the hospital since 2000, due to the progressive characteristic of hearing loss found in audiological tests and findings in cases related to the syndrome. The intervention with individual sound amplification devices proved to be of little benefit for good oral communication of one of the patients, who was diagnosed with bilateral profound hearing loss. Thus, after discussions in clinical meetings, the team opted for the indication of the cochlear implant for the patient, according to the current criteria for indication of this surgery, and with which it obtained good results. His twin sister, who presented good results with hearing aids, will continue in audiological follow-up, to verify the evolution of the case and discuss a new approach, if necessary. Patients with suspected or diagnosed Kearns-Sayre syndrome should seek audiological diagnosis, because it is a possible progressive hearing loss, requiring rehabilitation with the use of hearing devices. Maintaining oral communication is extremely important because, in these cases, other functions will be impaired, such as muscle tone and vision

O PRINCÍPIO MORAL DA ÉTICA DO DISCURSO COMO POSSÍVEL RESPOSTA PARA OS PROBLEMAS DO IMPERATIVO CATEGÓRICO KANTIANO

It will be analyzed the possibility that Habermas’s formulation of the moral principle, in the context of his discourse ethics, responds to certain problems present in Kant’s categorical imperative, in particular some of the problems pointed by Hegel in §135 of his Philosophy of Right. Thus, we will investigate, i) in a synthetic way, the foundation of morality given by Kant in his moral philosophy texts and the formulation of the categorical imperative; ii) briefly, some of the pertinent Hegelian criticisms directed at Kant’s categorical imperative; and iii) the way in which Habermas’s moral principle present in his discourse ethics and his strategy of moral foundation offer an alternative path and reformulation to the categorical imperative, not falling into the problems identified as present in Kant’s moral principle.Será analisada a possibilidade de que a formulação de Habermas do princípio moral, no contexto de sua ética do discurso, responda a certos problemas presentes no imperativo categórico kantiano, em especial alguns dos problemas apontados por Hegel no §135 de sua Filosofia do Direito. Para isso, investigaremos, i) de maneira sintética, a fundamentação da moralidade ensejada por Kant nos seus textos de filosofia moral e a formulação do imperativo categórico; ii) brevemente, algumas das críticas hegelianas pertinentes direcionadas ao imperativo categórico kantiano; e iii) a maneira como o princípio moral habermasiano presente em sua ética do discurso e a sua estratégia de fundamentação moral oferecem um caminho alternativo e de reformulação ao imperativo categórico, não caindo nos problemas apontados como presentes neste princípio moral kantiano

O desafio metropolitano: legislação urbanística e crescimento urbano em São José dos Campos

Este artigo traz para discussão a legislação urbanística como fator fundamental do Habitat e suas expressões nas condições de vida da população. Tendo como estudo de caso o município de São José dos Campos, importante receptor de investimentos, evidenciamos os efeitos ocasionados pela legislação e a ocorrência simultânea de más condições de vida da população de baixa renda. A partir do intuito de compreender o processo e a consolidação do planejamento urbano em São José dos Campos, trazemos para o debate algumas contribuições para futuras revisões relativas ao conjunto da legislação urbanística do município para o devido enfrentamento dos problemas urbanos e de elaboração de políticas públicas eficazes.This article brings up to discussion the urbanistic legislation as a fundamental factor of the Habitat and its expressions in the living conditions of the population. Taking as a case study the municipality of São José dos Campos, an important investment receiver, it’s shown the effects caused by the legislation and the simultaneous occurrence of poor living conditions of the low-income population. Bearing in mind the process understanding and the consolidation of urban planning in Sao Jose dos Campos, we bring up to the debate some contributions for future revisions relating to the municipal urban planning legislation as a whole for tackling the urban problems and an effective public policy making process

Sugarcane straw polyphenols as potential food and nutraceutical ingredient

The sugarcane processing industry generates a large amount of straw, which has a negative environmental impact, and high costs are associated with their elimination, wasting their potential bioactive value attributed to their richness in polyphenols. In this study, an ethanolic extract produced from sugarcane straw was screened for its phenolic compounds content, and the potential use of this extract in the development of a food ingredient was further evaluated. Fifty different secondary metabolites belonging to the hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonoids were identified by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–ultrahigh-resolution—quadrupole time of flight–mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-UHR-QqTOF-MS). The predominant phenolic compounds found were 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, chlorogenic acid, and 5-O-feruloylquinic acid. The obtained extracts showed strong potential as food preservatives by exhibiting (a) antioxidant activity using both 2.2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt radical cation (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods; and (b) antimicrobial capacity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 50 mg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus, 74% inhibition for Bacillus cereus, and 44% for Salmonella enterica; and (c) the capacity to inhibit a food browning enzyme, tyrosinase (28–73% for 1–8 mg/ mL). Moreover, the extracts showed antidiabetic potential by inhibiting the enzymes α-glucosidase (15–38% for 1.25–5.00 mg/mL) and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) (62–114% for 0.31–5.00 mg/mL). The extract (0.625 mg/mL) also exhibited the capacity to reduce proinflammatory mediators (i.e., interleukins 6 and 8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) when Caco-2 cells were stimulated with interleukin 1 beta. Thus, sugarcane straw extract, which is rich in phenolic compounds, showed high potential to be used in the development of food-preservative ingredients owing to its antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, and to be explored as a food supplement in diabetes prevention and as coadjuvant to reduce intestinal inflammation by reducing proinflammatory mediators.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Brazilian gamma detection device for sentinel lymph node biopsy

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of an intra-operative gamma detection Brazilian device (IPEN) on sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) procedures. METHODS: Forty melanoma or breast cancer patients with indication for undergoing SLNB were studied. Lymphoscintigraphy was done 2 to 24 hours prior to surgery. Lymphatic mapping with vital dye and gamma detection were performed intraoperatively. For gamma detection Neoprobe ® 1500 was used followed by IPEN (equipment under test) in the first 20 patients and for the remaining half IPEN was used first to verify its ability to locate the sentinel node (SN). Measurements were taken from the radiopharmaceutical product injection site, from SN (in vivo and ex vivo) and from background. It was recorded if the SN was stained or not and if it was found easily by surgeon. RESULTS: There were 33 (82.5%) breast cancer and 7 (17.5%) melanoma patients. Ages varied from 21 to 68 year-old (median age of 46). Sex distribution was 35 (87.5%) women and 5 (12.5%) men. Sentinel node was found in all but one patient. There was no statistical difference between the reasons ex vivo/ background obtained with the measures of both equipments (p=0, 2583-ns). The SN was easily found by the surgeon with both devices. CONCLUSION: The SLNB was successfully performed using either equipment. It was possible to do SLNB with the Brazilian device developed by IPEN without prejudice for the patient.OBJETIVO: Testar a eficácia de equipamento de detecção gama intra-operatória (DGI) desenvolvido pelo IPEN (Brasil), em procedimentos de biópsia de linfonodo sentinela (BLS) no melanoma e no câncer de mama. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 40 pacientes portadores de melanoma ou câncer de mama com indicação para realização de BLS.Todos pacientes foram submetidos à linfocintilografia e a BLS ocorreu entre 2 a 24 horas após a mesma. Concomitantemente à DGI, realizou-se o mapeamento linfático com corante vital. Foram feitas leituras com o equipamento convencional Neoprobe® 1500 e com o equipamento em teste (IPEN) dos valores de captação do sítio de injeção do radiofármaco, do LS in vivo e ex vivo e da captação de fundo. Foi registrado se o LS estava corado e se o cirurgião teve facilidade para encontrá-lo. Nos primeiros 20 pacientes utilizou-se o equipamento convencional e depois o de teste; nos outros 20, utilizou-se primeiro o equipamento em teste, com objetivo de verificar se o mesmo identificava primariamente o LS. RESULTADOS: Dos quarenta pacientes, 33 eram portadores de tumor de mama e sete de melanoma cutâneo; variação da idade: 21 a 68 anos (mediana= 46 anos); 35 mulheres e 5 homens. Em apenas um paciente o LS não foi encontrado, nem pela DGI nem pelo corante vital. Não houve diferença estatística entre as razões ex vivo/fundo obtidas com os dois equipamentos (p=0, 2583-ns). CONCLUSÃO: É possível realizar o procedimento de BLS com o equipamento brasileiro desenvolvido pelo IPEN, com facilidade e sem prejuízo para o paciente.Hospital Israelita Albert EinsteinIPENUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Faculdade de Medicina Anhembi-MorumbiUNIFESPSciEL

The Fh8 tag : a fusion partner for simple and cost-effective protein purification in Escherichia coli

Downstream processing is still a major bottleneck in recombinant protein production representing most of its costs. Hence, there is a continuing demand of novel and cost-effective purification processes aiming at the recovery of pure and active target protein. In this work, a novel purification methodology is presented, using the Fh8 solubility enhancer tag as fusion handle. The binding properties of Fh8 tag to a hydrophobic matrix were first studied via hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC). The Fh8 tag was then evaluated as a purification handle by its fusion to green fluorescent protein and superoxide dismutase. The purification efficiency of the Fh8-HIC strategy was compared to the immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) using the His6 tag. Results showed that the Fh8-HIC binding mechanism is calcium-dependent in a low salt medium, making the purification process highly selective. Both target proteins were biologically active, even when fused to Fh8, and were successfully purified by HIC, achieving efficiencies identical to those of IMAC. Thus, the Fh8 acts as an effective affinity tag that, together with its previously reported solubility enhancer capability, allows for the design of inexpensive and successful recombinant protein production processes in Escherichia coli.This work was conducted with the financial support of the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal, by the fellowship SFRH/BD/46482/2008 (POPH-QREN) to Sofia J. Costa. The FCT project PTDC/CVT/103081/2008 (co-funded by COMPETE) and QREN co-promotion project number 3515 are also acknowledged. The authors thank Dr. Huseyin Besir, Protein Expression and Purification Facility Core, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany, for supplying the pETM11 expression vector, and also Dr. Vitor Costa for kindly providing the SOD target gene used in this work